Whether you’re shopping for gifts or perfecting your blogging game, figuring out which camera to buy can be confusing. That’s why I’m breaking down cameras and gear by price, purpose (still photography or video), and skill level (beginning, intermediate, or pro). Have more questions about the gear I use? Ask me in the comments section.

DSLR Cameras

Canon Rebel T5i

Level: Beginner

Price: Amazon – $469 or B&H Photo – $649

Pros: Great for new DSLR users, economic price, swivel touchscreen LCD, Many lenses available, takes good video

Cons: Not the newest model, not full frame, no 60 fps above 720p, not the best autofocus performance in video mode, aliasing and rolling shutter issues in video mode.

I’ve always used Canon simply because it’s what I bought first. I have no qualms with Nikon, or most other brands, but since Canon has met my needs within my budget, I’ve stuck with them. After all, a company’s different models will share design elements on some level. Plus when you begin to amass a collection of lenses, you tend to not want to get out of that ecosystem.

Canon’s Rebel series is supposed to be for beginners.  They have several models available below the T5i, but for my purposes, this is the lowest model I would buy simply because of its affordability balanced with its photo/video capability.

A little about the T(x)i model history. This represents Canon’s highest model that still falls under the Rebel family. The T3i, T4i, and T5i had very small changes made, making it not worth spending the extra to upgrade. I’ve heard that the newer T6i and T6s make a more significant upgrade, but have not tested them personally. If you have the extra money, the T6i would have updated specs and a newer processor, autofocus system, and higher megapixel count. The T6s is like the T6i, but it gets you a step toward the higher end consumer models by including an LCD display on the top. Since Canon has kept the T5i around even after introducing its successor, you can now get it at a lower price than the T6 models.

Since these are all Rebel cameras, they are considered beginner or enthusiast cameras. Certainly a business with more cash on hand could go up to a higher model, but the T5i has been a good starter camera for our small startup photo/video company. Being light on the price tags brings some frustrations, but I’m sure you’ve heard “The best camera is the one you have on you.”

First let’s talk about one of the benefits of the T5i. A number of Canon’s DSLR models are built with a swivel LCD screen. This is a wonderful tool. It has far more uses than simply flipping it out to preview your selfies. If you’re in a crowd and need to raise the camera above, you can tilt the screen downward to use live view mode while holding the camera above your head. If you’re shooting video, you may appreciate not having to contort your body to see what’s on the screen. Additionally, the LCD is a touch screen which you can use to navigate menus, tap to focus on a subject, or even tap to activate the shutter.

The modes available allow for the newest of initiates to the DSLR world to simply put the dial on Auto. Don’t be shamed by those who say true photographers don’t use Auto. Sometimes you don’t have the time to adjust settings on the fly. And while you’re learning how to use ISO, aperture, and shutter speed viewing what settings the camera chose will help you get a sense of here to start.  Then you can make adjustments.

The camera is a crop sensor camera, which means the sensor is 5/8 the size of a full frame sensor. This is ill be fine for most, especially since most full frame cameras are out of the budget of the average Joe. The downside of a smaller sensor is that less light can reach it. Since photography is literally capturing light, you won’t get as good low-light performance as a full frame. But this sensor is far bigger than the one in your cell phone, so it will perform well. It will also work with more of Canon’s lenses, including both the EF series and the EF-S series, the latter of which are less expensive. Another downside is that your camera will effectively be more zoomed in than a full frame camera. Taking an identical shot with a prime 50mm lens on a T5i and a 6D you will notice the 6D will capture more in the picture, while the T5i will look like you zoomed in or used an 80mm lens. If you plan on using a prime lens (one that doesn’t zoom), this may mean you’ll have to stand further back from your subject.

The main reason to go with the T5i over the T5 would be for its video capabilities. It can record in 1080p HD for up to 30 frames per second. If you are willing to shoot in 720p, you can add slow motion effects by shooting in 60 frames per second. This is one area where Canon lags behind some other cameras. By now, we should be able to shoot 1080p in 60fps, but for most its not deal killer. Honestly, most people won’t notice the difference between 1080 and 720 unless you’re showing your videos on a large screen like at a movie theater.

DSLR video has been made abundantly available and the depth of field you can achieve on your camera will look great, but there are some areas that DSLR video still has trouble with. If you’re thinking of using it for professional video, you’ll need to be prepared to deal with aliasing, rolling shutter effects and MP4 compression. If you don’t know what any of those are, then it won’t bother you. The thing that will matter to some is that most DSLRs, including the T5i, use an autofocus system that makes the camera hunt for its subject while in video mode. This can be frustrating if you have moving subjects. Sometimes it’s better to just go into manual focus mode. If you want better autofocus, perhaps the Canon 70D is more up your alley. I’ve just purchased one to add to my usage of the T5i and will be reviewing it shortly.

All in all, the T5i is a great starter DSLR for those interested in taking the dive, but not ready to invest a ton of money, or those who want a fairly simple way to take great pictures. It’s not a professional camera, but it’s one of the better consumer models. If you’re used to using w point-and-shoot camera, your cell phone, or your iPad (please don’t), this camera will vastly improve your images, but it will be much harder to lug around. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an inexpensive, but not cheap in quality camera.

Review by James Knowles

Lenses to use with Canon T5i

Prime/Macro: Canon EF 50mm 1.8, often called the “nifty fifty” is cheap and perfect for the beginner who wants beautiful bokeh, something lightweight, and a great portrait lens. Buy from B&H Photo or Amazon for around $110.

Zoom: Sigma 24-70mm was my go-to for years. I even shot a cover story for United Airlines Hemispheres magazine with this lens. With 2.8f, you can get nice bokeh and at 70mm you can get action farther away than with the “nifty fifty.” Buy from Amazon and B&H Photo for $799. The Canon equivalent goes for $1,799 on Amazon and B&H Photo.

Telephoto: Canon EF 75-300mm is great for shooting wildlife that you just can’t get too close too without either losing a limb or scaring the thing away. If you’re a novice, start with lower priced lenses like this one that goes for $234 from Amazon and B&H Photo.

Canon 7D Mark II

Level: Pro

Price: $1,399 from Amazon or B&H Photo

Pros: 65 auto-focus points; 20.2 megapixels (print up to 18″ x 12″ at 5472 x 3648 pixels); crisp, detailed images; shoots 1080p HD video at 60fps (great for action that you want to slow-mo in post-production)

Cons: No flip or swivel screen; menus can be confusing for beginners; weighs 2 lbs. without a lens so is quite hefty with a zoom lens.

I shot my entire Iceland film with the Canon 7D Mark II. In fact, it was my first project with this pro camera. I used my Sigma 24-70mm lens and several people were surprised at the quality I was able to achieve. I had 9 days in Iceland, so I could take my time, which was good because this isn’t a point-and-shoot. I found the hundreds of menu settings a bit confusing and I certainly didn’t use all the features. The camera is also quite heavy, which was great for Iceland where the Artic winds can topple a car. This is, however, a great camera for shooting stills. If you you shoot more video than stills, spend another $500 and go with the Sony a7S.

Sony Alpha a6000